Using Gmail as your email host

Last Updated: Jul 22, 2014 10:47AM PDT

If you have a personal domain set up at your website, there's a good chance that you'll want to receive email at that domain as well. Most domain providers offer email hosting of some sort, the experience they offer leaves something to be desired. While Cargo doesn't provide email services, there are several options available to you.

If you want to use Gmail with your personal domain, you can use a paid Google Apps account to receive email directly at your domain or subdomain.

For ownership verification, use the random string provided in the control panel to create a CNAME record that points to google.com. Your unique random string is provided in the verification instructions in the control panel. Remember: The control panel for your domain is available at https://www.google.com/a/example.com. (Be sure to replace 'example.com' with your actual domain name.)

Sign in to your hosting account, and go to the DNS management page.

CNAME records may be in sections such as DNS Management or Name Server Management. You may have to enable advanced settings to create a CNAME record. Please contact your domain host directly if you can't locate the CNAME management options.

(If applicable) Delete the existing CNAME entry for the alias or unique string. For example, if you're creating a CNAME record for 'mail,' be sure to delete any existing CNAME records for 'mail.'

Use the information in this table when you create your CNAME record. Terms used to create CNAME records vary by host. Always use google.com for verification.

Your CNAME record is now configured to point to Google. Keep in mind that changes to your DNS settings may take up to 48 hours to propagate throughout the Internet. After completing domain ownership verification, you can remove the CNAME record.

Step two: Configure mail settings

To have email delivered to your users' Gmail inboxes, you need to update your domain to route email messages through the Google App mail servers.

You can also use email redirection services to send and receive email at your domain using your Gmail account, without signing up for Google Apps. Eric Mill has written an excellent step-by-step guide on setting up email redirection using Pobox: Visit Mill's guide at konklone.com

While this guide is specific to Pobox and Gmail, it is possible to redirect an email address at any domain to any other email address (like example@hotmail.com, or example@yahoo.com). Many domain providers offer email redirection as part of their services, like Namecheap and Hover. If you use IWantMyName, you can easily set up email redirection or hosting for your domain by using one of their application installers. A detailed list of available email hosts is available through their blog.